To kick off day three of the 2026 Miller Waste U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championships, the Warriors clashed with the Manitoba Bisons in the first consolation semi-final. In a day as scintillating as ever, with all eight teams in action, the black and gold's eyes were locked on the Canada West finalists.
After a crushing loss to the Guelph Gryphons on Thursday night, Shaun Reagan's squad still had more to play for, and an opportunity to make it to Sunday morning was on the line.
The Bisons were also looking to salvage their tournament after their quarter final loss to the Concordia Stingers.
In the end, it was the Warriors coming out on top with a 2-0 victory to advance to the consolation final.
Both coaches would turn to their starters from their quarterfinal matchups. The Warriors would go with Kara Mark (New Hamburg, Ont./Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School and Victus Academy), and Manitoba with Emily Shippam.
The faithful in black and gold were cheerful and loud off the opening draw.
The first period got off to a bang for the Warriors. Nikki McDonald, only 17 seconds in, shelfed a beauty on Shippam for the Warriors' first goal of the tournament. 1-0 for the hosts. Tatum James (Stratford, Ont./Northwestern Secondary School) picked up the helper, and McDonald's first national championship point broke the ice.
The backend was on full lock early as well. Mark flashed the leather on Bisons forward Sara Harbus off the draw in the slot. A beautiful save to keep the Warriors up one.
Just under six minutes in, the Warriors went to the powerplay. Hemming the Bisons into their end – they couldn't solve Shippam on this occasion – despite brilliant puck movement from Keiara Raitt (Ancaster, Ont./Ancaster High School) and Gracey Smith (Waterloo, Ont./Preston High School) in particular.
Just under halfway through the period, Smith continued to make an impact on the game. Picking up a puck from Tatum James (Stratford, Ont./Northwestern Secondary School) at centre, Smith made a beautiful cut to the inside, right around the Manitoba defender. Her shot from the left circle was sent over the glass by the blocker of Shippam.
The Warriors offence was locked in. With another power play opportunity, Waterloo tested Shippam once again; but Manitoba killed off another penalty.
Back to even strength, Mark continued to stand tall. With the Bisons battling in the crease, the Warriors held their ground to halt a couple of close chances for Manitoba. Raitt would fight back once again, this time feeding Carly Orth (Bolton, Ont./Humberview Secondary School) in stride on the left; but her shot just missed the mark. Just.
All four lines continued to move the puck effortlessly in Manitoba territory.
20 minutes gone, and the Warriors took the 1-0 lead to the room; with the shots even at 10 a piece. Orth led the way for the Warriors in the shooting category, with three on goal in the first. Waterloo also held the advantage in the faceoff circle.
As the second period kicked off, the Warriors continued their push on Shippam. The pace of play from the hosts was relentless as expected. Passes were crisp and the forecheck was not giving the Bisons an inch.
With brilliant movement from Brooke Williams (Valley, N.S./Cobequid Educational Center) and Erika Porter (Mississauga, Ont./Applewood Heights Secondary School), the Warrior defenceman sent one on goal, and Shippam denied Raitt off a rebound in tight, to keep the Bisons within one.
Past the halfway mark, the Warriors went to the powerplay, with Brodi Levitt (Caledonia, Ont./McKinnon Park) drawing a tripping call. As we have seen on occasion, the trio of McDonald, Tia Lascelle (Lancaster. Ont./Ontario Hockey Academy) and James continued to move the puck with ease on the left. The Bisons once again however, killed off the penalty to stay in it.
Another powerplay opportunity, after Levitt drew another call; and Waterloo looked for goal once more. The Warriors sent one-timer after one-time on goal, with McDonald and Orth firing away. Shippam once again stood her ground.
With Lascelle taking a checking call in the final 20 seconds, the Bisons would take a power play into the third.
Through 40 minutes, the shots remained level, this time at 20 for both sides.
Off the opening draw in the third, the Bisons pressed quickly, but Mark countered yet again.
Just under seven minutes in, McDonald served just what the Warriors ordered yet again. Right off a faceoff win from Smith, James got McDonald the puck and she cut in at the circle, backhanding her second of the game home. 2-0 for the black and gold.
The Bisons would pressure the Warriors after the goal, with some close calls in the crease. The Warriors back end continued to hold their own.
The crowd cheered the home side on even louder, as time got tight.
As the final seconds ticked away, the support of the crowd rolled the Warriors home. A seventh shutout for Mark on the season (OUA season, playoffs, and U SPORTS Championship combined), and 32 saves to her name as well; and the Warriors were 2-0 winners.
In speaking with Mark postgame, the value she places in being the one to show up for her teammates and fans on a daily basis spoke volumes.
"One aspect of hockey that I've always loved is having people that I can surround myself with," Mark mentioned. "Whether that be my family, my friends, who are able to show up and support me, the Waterloo student body and fans, they always show up, and that's something you can't find at every university," she added.
James, who tallied assists on both of McDonald's goals, also spoke on how the connection she has had with the group since the start, has complimented the success she has delivered on the ice.
"My line has a great connection," James mentioned. "We've been playing with each other since the start of the season. I'm really proud of Nikki, she deserves those two goals, and she's been working really hard. We couldn't have done it also without Gracie winning that draw, so I'm really proud of my line. I love them so much and I wouldn't have the success I have without them."
For the Warriors, it is a consolation final spot booked for 8:00 am tomorrow – as they will take on the UBC Thunderbirds for fifth place in the tournament. Tickets are available at gowarriorsgo.ca/whtickets. The game will be broadcast live on CBC Gem, CBCsports.ca, and CBC Sports YouTube.
